Most students do not fail because they are not smart. They fail because studying is irregular: three hours the night before, nothing for two weeks. A daily habit beats occasional heroics, and the good news is that habits can be built with very small steps.

Start smaller than feels useful

Pick a daily target you can hit even on your worst day: 20 minutes, one chapter section, or ten practice questions. The goal in week one is not progress in marks, it is showing up. Once showing up is automatic, increase the time.

Anchor it to something you already do

Habits stick when they are attached to an existing routine. "After dinner I open my notes" works far better than "I will study sometime in the evening". Choose a fixed time and place, and keep your phone in another room.

Plan tomorrow tonight

Before you stop studying, write down the first task for the next session.…